t vs. Henderson" event at Goiania Arena in Goiania, Brazil. T

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- J.P. Macura doesnt know why but for some reason his shot hadnt been falling quite right during Xaviers first couple of games.But that changed -- quickly -- during the 11-ranked Musketeers 83-77 victory over Clemson on Friday in the second round of the Tire Pros Invitational. The junior guard hit his first 3-pointer in the first 58 seconds, then exchanged a little trash talk with Clemson forward Jaron Blossomgame. It was on from there.Macura surpassed his career high with 23 points in the first half and finished with 28 in a battle of two strong-willed teams.I started the season off not shooting the ball very well and my teammates did a great job of getting me the ball, said Macura, whose previous career high was 21 points. I had all the confidence in the world when I was shooting and we just had a great team victory today.The Musketeers jumped out to an early double-digit lead due in large part to their patience and getting the ball to the open man, which was often Macura. He was 5 for 6 from 3-point in the first 20 minutes, and Edmond Sumner (11 points) and Trevon Bluiett (21 points) showed great patience in making the extra pass to find Macura.Macura scored just five points in the second half, ending the game shooting 10 of 12 from the field and going 6-for-11 from 3-point range. But his contribution was just enough to prevent Clemson from completing its numerous comeback attempts.His teammates really wanted to find him. He has that ability, said Xavier coach Chris Mack, whose team moved to 3-0 as it heads into the championship game on Sunday. He had a huge game in the first half and he made some big-time plays in the second half as well.But the Tigers made it interesting at the end, pulling to 81-77 in the final 7 seconds after several lapses by Xavier on both ends of the floor. The game wasnt secured until Bluiett hit two free throws with 6 seconds remaining.It was the second close win for the Musketeers after they escaped Missouri with a one-point win in overtime Thursday.It was really fun, Macura said. Clemson is a very good basketball team and I think we came together as a team and played great team basketball.We played well on the defensive end and we just need to keep doing this.BIG PICTUREClemson: All five of the Tigers starters are double-figure scorers. Their problem on Friday was discipline and not giving enough effort on the defensive end. Macura was allowed to hit too many open 3-pointers.Xavier: The Tigers are talented but they are soft inside and that is where the difference came. They were outscored 36-28 in the paint.POLL IMPLICATIONSXavier: A win over a quality opponent like the ACCs Clemson should bolster the Musketeers standing.SHOWING RESPECTClemson coach Brad Brownell was proud of his team played, but recognized it was tough to beat an Xavier team that converted 53 percent from the field and 43 percent from 3-point range for the game. The Musketeers seemed to have an answer for every run Clemson made.When Xavier shoots the ball like that theyre going to be hard to beat, Brownell said.DOMINATING THE PAINTOther players scored more points for Xavier but no contribution was perhaps bigger than center Sean OMara in the paint. He was 4 for 4 from the field and 2 for 2 from the free throw line to finish with 10 points.UP NEXTClemson: The Tigers will play the loser of the Northern Iowa-Oklahoma game for third place Sunday.Xavier: The Musketeers will play the Northern Iowa-Oklahoma winner in the championship game Sunday night.---More AP college basketball: www.collegebasketball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25 Wholesale College Jerseys Authentic . The visitors took a deserved lead in the 16th minute with midfielder Yohan Cabaye curling the ball beyond Adrian from inside the penalty area. Cheap NCAA Jerseys China . -- When the Florida Panthers fell behind by two goals in the first period to the top team in the NHL, it appeared they were on their way to yet another loss. http://www.cheapncaaauthenticjerseys.com/ . -- San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks was fined $15,570 by the NFL on Wednesday for his hit on Saints quarterback Drew Brees last Sunday. Wholesale NCAA Jerseys . Belfort (24-10) needed just 77 seconds to down Henderson in the headlining bout of Saturdays "UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson" event at Goiania Arena in Goiania, Brazil. The fight served as a rematch of the pairs 2006 meeting, which Henderson won by decision. Cheap College Jerseys .Y. - Rob Manfred was promoted Monday to Major League Baseballs chief operating officer, which may make him a candidate to succeed Bud Selig as commissioner. Nikes Color Rush jerseys are back and bolder than ever before.The New Orleans Saints released their version Tuesday, with wide receiver Brandin Cooks showing off a white ensemble that features gold numbers and stripes, along with black accents. Take a look:The Saints played on Thursday night last season in Week 6 against the Atlanta Falcons,?but normal jerseys were worn by bboth sides.dddddddddddd This year, Color Rush uniforms are mandatory for every team playing on a Thursday night, Thanksgiving Day excluded.New Orleans will don the new look Thursday, Nov. 17 at the Carolina Panthers, who will be wearing all-blue. ' ' '